Agritourism trend brings weddings, concerts and more to farms

Many farmers in Massachusetts are increasingly discovering a new source of revenue and exposure.

Gerry Tuoti Wicked Local Newsbank Editor

Many farmers in Massachusetts are increasingly discovering a new source of revenue and exposure.

They are using their farms to host everything from live music performances to obstacle races to wedding receptions.

“A lot of people are used to apple picking, pumpkin picking and that sort of thing,” said Brad Mitchell, policy director for the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation. “Now, we’re seeing people who want to have their weddings on farms, concerts, charity running races, bachelorette parties at wineries. Fifteen years ago, I didn’t know too many people who’d want to get married on a farm.”

Those types of activities, which fall under the umbrella of “agritourism,” give a boost to many farms in Massachusetts. But the growing trend is not without controversy.

“There have been some issues with zoning, building laws and public health laws,” Mitchell said. “In most cases, folks are able to work it out, but there has been a lot of confusion sometimes.”

Some of those tensions surrounding agritourism were raised last year on the Town Meeting floor in Westport. Voters in that rural southeastern Massachusetts community debated an agritourism zoning amendment. Ann Cloutier, a neighbor of Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery, complained at Town Meeting of loud music, karaoke and food trucks at the farm late at night, according to reports from the Herald News of Fall River.

The amended zoning regulations ultimately passed, allowing agritourism activities to continue in the town. Westport town officials used the amendment this fall to override the zoning commissioner’s decision that temporarily prevented Weatherlow Farms from hosting weddings.

As agritourism expands beyond hayrides and apple picking, town officials and policymakers across Massachusetts are sometimes in a race to keep up.

“There are all sorts of instances since there’s no real definition of what agritourism is and how it fits into an agricultural zone,” said Karen Schwalbe, executive director of the Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership. “If a town can shut you down for not meeting zoning requirements, farmers are not going to make those sorts of investments. What towns have been attempting is a town-by-town approach, with each town figuring out what works for itself.”

Frank Carlson, who co-owns Carlson Orchards with his two brothers in the town of Harvard, has gradually ventured into agritourism in recent years, offering hayrides and pick-you-own apples. He said he’s pleased that officials in his town are beginning to look at creating definitions and permitted agritourism uses.

“We haven’t had any problems, but we have heard of problems in other communities,” Carlson said. “We want to be proactive and work with them. We don’t have a problem and don’t want to instigate any problems. We want to control them before they become problems.”

A statewide approach could also be in the works.

The Farm Bureau Federation is backing a House bill that would create a commission to study the issue and make recommendations to the Legislature on ways to promote and expand agritourism. The study commission would include farmers, municipal representatives and representatives of state agricultural, tourism and health agencies.

A legislative committee heard testimony on the bill Oct. 31.

“The legislation is common sense,” Mitchell said, explaining that the commission would include diverse stakeholders. “It would put them together to look at what is being done in other states and countries. Is there something we can change? What are the best practices? Let’s have them work out these issues and see where we go from here and continue this trend in a responsible manner so everyone’s concerns are being addressed.”